mottle
[ mot-l ]
/ ˈmɒt l /
verb (used with object), mot·tled, mot·tling.
to mark or diversify with spots or blotches of a different color or shade.
noun
a diversifying spot or blotch of color.
mottled coloring or pattern.
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Origin of mottle
First recorded in 1670–80; probably back formation from motley
OTHER WORDS FROM mottle
mot·tle·ment, nounmot·tler, nounWords nearby mottle
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for mottle
Ginsburg put up his gloved hand and wiped clean a face that with passion had turned a mottle of red-and-white blotches.
From Place to Place|Irvin S. CobbLet God make His sunsets: I will mottle my little fading cloud.
Annals of a Quiet Neighbourhood|George MacDonaldGangs of buffalo, herds of antelope, and droves of wild horses, mottle the far vistas.
The Scalp Hunters|Mayne Reid
British Dictionary definitions for mottle
mottle
/ (ˈmɒtəl) /
verb
(tr) to colour with streaks or blotches of different shades
noun
a mottled appearance, as of the surface of marble
one streak or blotch of colour in a mottled surface
Word Origin for mottle
C17: back formation from motley
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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